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TACCC 2025 Concludes: Driving Collaboration for Decarbonised Transport
The third edition of The Maritime Standard Transportation & Climate Change Conference (TACCC 2025) concluded successfully at the Saadiyat Rotana Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE, bringing together an exceptional gathering of global leaders, policymakers, regulators, and industry experts. Held under the theme “Accelerating Sustainable Transportation: Innovation, Policy & Climate Change,” the event attracted overwhelming participation from across the maritime, logistics, and transportation sectors, highlighting the growing urgency to align business strategies with climate goals and accelerate the path to net-zero.
The conference opened with an introduction and welcome by David Eades, Former Chief Presenter at BBC News, who set the tone for the day by underlining the scale of the challenge. He emphasised the urgency of collaboration, not just within the maritime and logistics sectors, but across industries, to drive meaningful progress on decarbonisation and net-zero goals. He emphasized: “This is not just a gathering; it is a call to action.”
The keynote session featured three senior leaders from the region. Capt. Saif Al Mheiri, CEO, Abu Dhabi Maritime & Chief Sustainability Officer, AD Ports Group, stressed the importance of turning ambition into tangible impact, underlining how innovation and collaboration can reshape supply chains into sustainable, connected ecosystems. Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Senior Vice President of Commercial & Operations (Shipping), ADNOC Logistics and Services, spoke about resilience and reinvention in the sector, highlighting the potential of AI-driven solutions to balance energy security with the imperative of decarbonisation. The third keynote, delivered by Shahab-Al-Jassmi, Senior Vice President, Ports & Terminals Commercial, DP World GCC, focused on the critical role ports and terminals play in enabling sustainable trade flows, calling them gateways for driving real change across the wider logistics network.
Session One, chaired by David Eades, focused on “Net-Zero Maritime Transport: Policy, Investment and the Global Roadmap,” providing a comprehensive overview of strategies to accelerate decarbonisation. The session featured insights from Dr Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO, ASYAD Shipping; Eirik Nyhus, Vice President, Director Environment, Maritime, DNV; Dr Ahmed Al Abri, CEO, Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard; Peter Marvin, Chief Officer, Logistics & Technical Services; Omar Alsebeyi, Deputy CEO, Etihad Rail Freight; Hemant Nandanpawar, Senior Director, Climate Finance & Stakeholder Management, Global Carbon Council; Tony Dagher, Managing Director, TMC Shipping; Fadi Al-Shihabi, Partner, Sustainability Solutions Leader, KPMG; and Margabandhu Kumaraswamy, Technology & Innovation Manager, India Middle East & Africa, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore.
Dr Ibrahim Al Nadhairi opened the discussion with a presentation on “Smarter Sailing with Wind Power.” He argued that the industry cannot afford to delay action while waiting for perfect solutions, and highlighted wind-assist propulsion as a proven, scalable technology that can deliver immediate results. He explained how these systems reduce fuel consumption and engine wear, seamlessly integrate with existing fleets, and have been independently verified for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. He urged shipowners to adopt such practical measures now to meet IMO decarbonisation targets.
Building on this, Eirik Nyhus provided a regulatory perspective, focusing on the IMO’s strengthened GHG Strategy and the forthcoming Net-Zero Framework. He outlined the significant regulatory shifts on the horizon, including mandatory fuel intensity reductions, a two-tier pricing system, and amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that will soon enter into force. Nyhus stressed that while the 2050 net-zero ambition is clear, the interim 2030 and 2040 milestones will be particularly demanding, requiring coordinated global action, new compliance frameworks, and substantial technological advancement.
Dr Ahmed Al Abri shifted the focus towards shipbuilding and repair, highlighting the crucial role of regional yards in enabling decarbonisation. He emphasised how ship repair facilities like ASRY are investing in new infrastructure and expertise to retrofit vessels with energy-efficient technologies, extend asset life cycles, and support owners in meeting regulatory obligations. He argued that collaboration between shipowners, yards, and technology providers will be key to achieving emission reduction goals without disrupting trade flows.
Adding a supply chain dimension, Peter Marvin discussed the importance of integrated logistics solutions in the decarbonisation journey. He explained how operational efficiency, digitalisation, and strategic asset management can reduce bottlenecks, lower fuel use, and create more resilient and environmentally sustainable supply chains. Marvin stressed that efficiency gains on land and sea together deliver greater decarbonisation impact than isolated initiatives.
Omar Alsebeyi brought in the perspective of rail, highlighting the transformative role Etihad Rail Freight is playing in diversifying transport and reducing emissions. He explained how shifting freight from road to rail can dramatically cut carbon intensity while offering reliable, cost-effective alternatives for shippers. Alsebeyi underscored the potential for rail to serve as the backbone of a low-carbon logistics network, complementing decarbonisation initiatives in shipping and ports.
On the financial side, Hemant Nandanpawar emphasised the importance of climate finance mechanisms in making decarbonisation economically viable. He detailed how frameworks such as carbon credits and green financing instruments can incentivise investment in clean technologies, bridge funding gaps, and support companies transitioning to low-carbon operations. He stressed the importance of robust governance and transparency to ensure credibility and impact in carbon markets.
Tony Dagher addressed the practical challenges shipowners face in implementing decarbonisation measures. Drawing from his experience at TMC Shipping, he pointed to rising costs, fragmented regulations, and uncertainty over future fuels as key concerns. However, he also highlighted the opportunities for early adopters to gain competitive advantage by embracing innovative technologies, collaborating with classification societies, and exploring partnerships that reduce risk.
Fadi Al-Shihabi focused on the role of advisory and consultancy support in guiding businesses through the energy transition. He outlined KPMG’s sustainability frameworks for measuring carbon footprints, developing decarbonisation roadmaps, and embedding ESG principles into core strategy. He argued that companies that align financial, environmental, and social metrics will be best positioned to attract investment and remain competitive in a low-carbon economy.
Rounding off the session, Margabandhu Kumaraswamy highlighted the role of classification societies such as Bureau Veritas in accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies. He described how rigorous testing, validation, and certification provide confidence for shipowners to invest in alternative fuels and advanced vessel designs. Kumaraswamy also noted the importance of regional collaboration in scaling up innovation across the Middle East and Africa.
The session concluded with an engaging panel discussion and interactive Q&A, which reinforced the message that while decarbonisation is one of the greatest challenges in the history of shipping, it also presents a unique opportunity. Through the combined efforts of regulators, shipowners, ports, financiers, classification societies, and technology providers, a credible and practical pathway to net zero is beginning to take shape.
Session Two, themed “Innovations & Technology for Decarbonized Mobility,” explored forward-looking strategies to advance sustainable transportation. Chaired by Ali Shehab, Global Director, Special Projects & Services, DNV Maritime, the session brought insights from Dr Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Abri, VP Sustainability, SOHAR Port and Freezone; Imran S. Inamdar, Chief Operating Officer, Drydocks World; Theo Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Piraeus office, International Registries Inc; Abdul Fahl, Director, TTMS (Gulf); Katherine Yakunchenkova, General Manager, Al Safina Security; Dr. Alejandro Rios-Galvan, Independent Sustainability Consultant; and Kamran Ul Haq, Global Senior Vice President, Lloyd’s Register. Presentations covered a range of practical solutions including ship retrofitting, digital optimisation, alternative fuels such as biofuels and hydrogen, and enhanced safety systems.
Dr Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Abri opened the session with a presentation on “Making Decarbonisation Bankable: A Testbed for the Low Carbon Economy.” He outlined the long-term vision of SOHAR Port and Freezone to become a fully integrated hub where industrial clusters in metals, food, and plastics operate in harmony with sustainability goals. Al-Abri underscored the importance of digitalisation in optimising port and terminal operations to cut fuel use and reduce emissions, as well as the role of public-private partnerships in creating resilient, sustainable growth. He positioned ports as living laboratories where innovation, regulation, and investment intersect to accelerate decarbonisation.
Imran S. Inamdar focused on the role of shipyards in delivering practical decarbonisation solutions. He detailed how Drydocks World is enabling the industry to meet IMO 2030 and 2050 goals through retrofits, conversions, and energy-efficiency upgrades. These include next-generation energy-saving devices, air lubrication systems, advanced hull coatings, and propeller modifications based on computational fluid dynamics. He emphasised that shipyards are not only supporting fleet compliance but are also becoming central actors in the shift toward offshore clean energy and zero-carbon infrastructure.
Theo Xenakoudis provided insights on the role of flag registries in supporting sustainable shipping. He explained that registries such as the Republic of the Marshall Islands ensure compliance with critical IMO conventions including SOLAS, MARPOL, the Ballast Water Management Convention, and the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling. Beyond compliance, Xenakoudis stressed that forward-looking registries can help accelerate adoption of new technologies by offering guidance, incentives, and proactive participation in IMO working groups. He pointed to the need for strong compliance cultures that reduce risk, attract green investment, and support long-term decarbonisation goals.
Abdul Fahl brought an insurance perspective, speaking on “Ports at Risk: Climate Change Through the Lens of Insurance.” He outlined how climate change is reshaping the risk profile of ports, with increased tidal surges, microbursts, and unprecedented rainfall events threatening operations. He emphasised the need for comprehensive risk assessments and continuity planning to protect not only infrastructure and equipment but also customers’ property. Advances in meteorology and predictive technology, he noted, can help operators anticipate and mitigate risks more effectively, ensuring resilience in an era of climate uncertainty.
Katherine Yakunchenkova addressed the intersection of maritime security and sustainability, presenting on “Smart, Secure and Sustainable Seas.” She explained how Al Safina Security is leveraging smart maritime intelligence platforms to enhance situational awareness, reduce risks, and improve decision-making. Yakunchenkova noted that security and environmental performance are no longer separate issues; rather, they are interconnected priorities requiring integrated solutions that balance compliance, carbon costs, and operational efficiency.
Dr Alejandro Rios-Galvan drew on his experience as former Chief Research Scientist at Khalifa University to highlight lessons from the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS), an innovative bioenergy project piloted in Masdar City. He described how the system integrated food, water, biomass, and ecosystem services into a closed-loop model that delivered strong results for over eight years. Though the pilot was decommissioned in 2024, he argued that the knowledge gained demonstrates the potential of holistic, systems-based approaches in advancing sustainable energy and agriculture solutions linked to transport decarbonisation.
Kamran Ul Haq concluded the session with a perspective on green ports and terminals. He emphasised the need for resilience, electrification, and the adoption of clean energy in port operations to create zero-emission ecosystems. Haq underlined that ports and terminals, as gateways of global trade, must transition rapidly to low-carbon operations if the maritime sector is to meet its climate obligations. He also called for stronger collaboration between regulators, operators, and technology providers to standardise and scale the adoption of green infrastructure worldwide.
The session ended with an interactive Q&A and a panel discussion, reinforcing the importance of cross-sector innovation and information sharing. Participants agreed that the combined efforts of shipyards, ports, registries, insurers, security providers, and researchers are essential in creating a sustainable and resilient transport industry fit for the future.
A key highlight of TACCC 2025 was its success in bringing together a wide range of stakeholders from the transport and sustainabilty value chain. The conference convened policymakers, shipowners, ports, financiers, classification societies, technology providers, and sustainability leaders, creating a platform for open discussion of industry challenges and the sharing of practical solutions. Delegates emphasized that while technological innovation is crucial, true progress and lasting impact can only be achieved through collaboration across industries.
Trevor Pereira, Managing Director of The Maritime Standard, commented: “TACCC 2025 once again reinforced the importance of bringing the industry together to discuss tangible pathways to net zero. The level of participation and the quality of dialogue were outstanding, and we are proud to have provided a platform that inspires real action.”
The strong turnout and active engagement confirmed TACCC 2025’s position as a leading platform for advancing sustainable transportation and logistics. By combining keynote addresses, expert presentations, panel discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities, the conference successfully bridged perspectives and generated momentum for the transition to net zero.
The event concluded with broad consensus on the need for ongoing industry-wide collaboration to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for global transportation. Throughout the sessions, speakers highlighted digital transformation, innovative technologies, and sustainable infrastructure as vital enablers for achieving climate objectives while maintaining economic competitiveness.
Trevor Pereira extended his appreciation to all participants, speakers, and sponsors for their valuable contributions, reaffirming TACCC 2025’s role as a leading platform for shaping the future of sustainable transportation and logistics.
Also Read: TMS TACCC 2025 To Feature Leading Industry Voices And Strategic Topics On Maritime Sustainability
